In South Korea, the aquarium industry has been thriving, but it has experienced changes in legislation over the past few years.
In 2023, South Korea banned the purchase of new whales and dolphins for display. However, the law does not apply to animals that are already in captivity, such as Bella.
Last year, Lotte Corporation announced that they were working on transferring Bella to a sanctuary in Iceland, but “environmental issues within their facility” have set them back.